St. Cloud school leaders research possible high school sites

St. Cloud school leaders are gathering more information about two potential building sites, including soil samples, that help determine the suitability of the land.

City administrators from St. Cloud and St. Augusta met Tuesday morning with the St. Cloud school board finance committee. Land in each city is under consideration as a possible option for a new high school amid the district's discussion of future facilities.

The district has an option on a parcel of land in St. Augusta just south of St. Cloud. The site would require an extension of services such as sewer, turn lanes on county roads and other changes.

To build on the site the district owns on 33rd Street South in St. Cloud, the district would need to acquire privately held land in between district-owned property and city-owned property. If the property owners will not sell, it's possible the city could invoke eminent domain — the legal principle that allows public entities to purchase land to be used for public benefit.

Board President Jerry Von Korff encouraged district administration to reach out to the owners before reaching for using power.

Before the district makes any decisions about where to build a high school, all sites would need to have soil testing.

Business Director Kevin Januszewski said the district would move ahead with testing on the St. Augusta site.

Buildings and grounds supervisor Bryan Brown said the testing would give the district an "overall picture of the whole property." Brown said granite ledges and natural springs would be particularly important when assessing the sites' viability.

Von Korff also requested the district provide a detailed profile of each site, such as its fire and police protection services, and what services would need to be added.

As the facility discussion continues, the district will host a public forum on the future of Technical High School at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.